Simviation Forums

Whenever I get a new plane, the first thing I do is go into the config file and adjust the eyepoint to provide a comfortable view over the nose.   I am wondering how many "degrees of ground" it is appropriate to see over the glareshield.  This is always an issue because with limited vertical screenspace, I obviously want to be able to see all the primary instruments, but at the same time, don't want the horizon to be an inch from the top of the screen!
To put this another way, when an average pilot is sitting in a plane (say a pa-28 or cessna 172), how many degrees can he pull the nose up before the horizon aligns with the top of the glareshield? 

It would vary by aircraft.  Even a Cessna 172 and 182 are noticeably different in my opinion.

When flaring in a real "plane" do you ever come close to covering up your view of the runway center-line?

When flaring in a real "plane" do you ever come close to covering up your view of the runway center-line?

That is quite possible in many taildraggers.  Like in my first reply, it really varies from airplane to airplane.  Some airplanes have good views over the nose, some don't.

Well, at the risk of looking like Brett Henderson's signature, here is what I'm using for a PA-28.  Keep in mind that the airplane is already at an attitude of +5 degree due to the stoop of the main gear.  Does this look about right?  I don't have a frame of reference for the real world in regards to this, so I'm just guessing, and trying not to stray too far from whatever the defaults were for this airplane.  My zoom factor is .85, which I have decided upon for all my airplanes as the best compromise, from big ones to little ones.

[quote]Well, at the risk of looking like Brett Henderson's signature, here is what I'm using for a PA-28.

My only very slight critcism of your picture is that you have yourself on the runway centerline rather than the aircraft center.

[quote]My only very slight critcism of your picture is that you have yourself on the runway centerline rather than the aircraft center.

Close enough.

When flaring in a real "plane" do you ever come close to covering up your view of the runway center-line?

Being a short person, back when I was flying the Cessna 172N, the glare shield often comes close to covering the whole view for me during the final second or two of the flare.

When flaring in a real "plane" do you ever come close to covering up your view of the runway center-line?

Being a short person, back when I was flying the Cessna 172N, the glare shield often comes close to covering the whole view for me during the final second or two of the flare.

Had I used a cushion, my feet might not have reached the rudder pedals!